Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-13
SAFETY FOR TRAVELLERS.
Provisions OF q Bill to be Submitted to
Congress.
PREPARED By THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAIL-
WAY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND ENGINEERS
TO BIZ LICENSED AFTER EXAMINATION As TO THEIR
QUALIFICATIONS.

QUALIFICATIONS.
At the next session OF Congress bill will be in.
troduced and Its passage pressed "for licensing
railway conductors and locomotive engineers on
certain railways in the United States" This bill
is prepared by the National Association Of Railway
Conductors, and the printed bill is prefaced by
the following appeal:
"The travelling public (and what citizen Of the
United States does not travel more or less?) are
particularly interested in the passage of this act
to the end that the terrible accidents resulting
loss of life and limb may be reduced to the mini
mum by providing that none but capable men are
placed in charge of those lives. 1t is a notorious
fact that many OF the most serious accidents are
caused by 1ncOmpetency on the part OF those In
charge OF trains, several instances having oc-
CURED within the past year, and some OF them so
terrible in their consequences that they fresh
In the memory OF all. We request you to aid US
In our effort to render your journey safer than at
present"
The first section OF the act provides that on and
after July l, 1889 no railroad In the United States
engaged In transportation from one state or Ter
ritory TO another, or foreign country, shall EN-.
ploy or permit any person to as conductor or
engineer unless such person Is licensed as pro-
vided In the act. The second section provides for
the appointment OF a chief examiner by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent OF the
Senate, to carry out the provisions OF the act to
receive salary OF s., 500 with travelling expenses
and shall from time TO time report to the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury. Another section authorizes
the appointment by the chief Of ten super
each and travelling expenses all TO be selected for
knowledge, SKILL and practical experience in rail-
way-train service and the operation OF trains and
engines The chief and supervising examiners
Shall meet In this city and organize, and on the
second Wednesday In each January following.
ury they shall divide the United States into ten
diftrtcts, and In each district there shall be two
district examiners, one conductor and
the other an engineer at a salary OF $1,000
per annum and In addition assistant examiners
when their services are actually needed at salary
Of not exceeded $500 per annum. Provision Is
examiners have power to license conductors and
locomotive engineers. 1t is provided that when.
ever any person shall make application to be
licensed as railway conductor or as locomotive
engineer the examiner shall make ditgent inquiry
as to his character and habits OF nfe and snail
carefully 1 examine the applicant as u his qualin-
support Of his claims and any other proofs which
satisfied that his capaciti experience sE habits Of
life and character, are such as to warrant the be-
lief that be can b. safely entrusted with the duties
makes application, they shah grant him a license
authorizing him to discharge such duties for the
term OF one year. But such license shall be sus-
conduct, unskillfulness Incorporate habits, inca
pactty, inattent1on TO his duties or wilfu VIOLA
ton OF any provision OF this act" Power is given
toSummOn and compel the attendance OF witnesses
before the examining boards, to administer oaths,
to investigate cases for the suspension and revo-
cation OF licenses and every one receiving license
Is required to subscribe TO an oath to faithfully
and honestly perform the duties OF the position.
Each conductor and engineer Is required 70 exhibit
such license on the request OF any passenger on
the train under penalty OF 1ne OF 500 or revoca-
ton OF license. The rec for each license is to be
from S. TO $lO all to be paid into the United States
Treasury. Provision is made for appeal from the
district examiners and for the payment OF wit
neSSeS 1t Is provided that II any licensed Of1lcer
shall, to the hindrance Of commerce, wrongfully
or unreasOnably refuse to serve In his Official ca
pacity on any railway, as authorized by the terms
OF his certificate OF license, shall fail deliver
TO the applicant for such service, at the time OF
such refusal, II the same shall be demanded, a
statement In writing, assigning good and suf1cient
reasons therefor, his license shall be revoked ANY
railway company or any omcer, receiver, trustee,
lessee. or agent OF any railway company, or other
person knowingly violating the provisions OF this
act shall be liable to penalty OF $780, TO be sued
Tor and collected In the name OF the United States
by the district attorney OF the district in which
any such action may be brought. And 1t shall be
the duty OF the supervising and district exam
liners TO cause the any person so viO-
latlnY the provisions Of this act.